CEDAR CITY – With so many people spending their time outdoors this time of year, the Southwest Utah Public Health Department issued a news release Friday, reminding the public to use caution when around wild animals and various bugs.

“If a wild animal is passive enough to let you get close, it’s probably a good idea to back off and keep your distance,” said David Blodgett, SWUPHD health officer. “Some animal species in our area can carry diseases such as rabies, tularemia, or plague. Human cases are rare, but the risk increases with close contact.”

While it is uncommon for humans to contract these types of diseases, Dave Heaton, spokesman for SWUPHD, said the health department has had some cases reported this season.

There was a case of hantavirus reported a couple of months ago in Kane County, Heaton said.

While spread through contact with infected rodents, particularly the deer mouse in Southern Utah, this disease is mainly contracted through inhaling dust that has been infected by the urine or mouse droppings, Heaton said.

“This is a disease that is often spread when someone is out cleaning their garage and they’ve had the mice in there that have left urine and droppings behind, so when someone begins to stir up the dust, they inhale it and get really sick.”

It’s recommended that homeowners prevent this disease through rodent control and safe clean-up practices.

The West Nile virus is another disease that’s been found this year.

Heaton said a mosquito test conducted in Washington County two weeks ago proved positive for this disease, while bird samplings in Kane County also showed it in that area.

Most humans who are infected experience no symptoms; however, serious illness can result in some cases.

Blodgett suggests preventing the spread of this disease by wearing repellent and long-sleeved clothing.

Health officials also advise the public to avoid being outdoors during dusk and dawn hours and draining standing sources of water.

With large populations of prairie dogs and other rodents in the area, plague is a bacterial disease carried by these species and potentially spreads to humans through fleas or by handling an infected animal.

If infected, prompt treatment is required, Blodgett said.

Rabies is a virus that is transmitted through the bite of an infected wild animal — including bats, raccoons, foxes and skunks.

Medical care should not be delayed if there are any wounds resulting from an animal attack, health officials said.

Blodgett said the incubation period for rabies is generally between 14 to 30 days, meaning that after that time, symptoms will begin to develop, making the disease fatal.

Officials are now looking for a couple who while visiting the Grand Canyon a couple of weeks ago, came in contact with a bat that was tested and found to have rabies.

The pair didn’t know and were playing with it while snapping photos, Heaton said.

Another one to watch out for is tularemia, a potentially serious illness from a bacteria found in rodents and rabbits.

Spread by handling infected carcasses, ingesting contaminated food or water, or bites from infected deer flies and other insects, the disease is treated with antibiotics, health officials said.

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